Atlanta, Georgia-based Guardian Pharmacy Services announced that Freedom Pharmacy is joining the Guardian family. This partnership expands Guardian’s Mid-Atlantic footprint and marks its first venture into New Jersey.
Freedom Pharmacy is an independent long-term care (LTC) pharmacy based in Randolph, New Jersey. Founded in 2022 by a group of pharmacists, each with more than 35 years of industry experience, Freedom Pharmacy serves more than 1,300 residents.
Guardian Pharmacy Services is one of the nation’s largest LTC pharmacy companies. Guardian’s pharmacies provide client services and resident care to long-term care communities, including assisted living and skilled nursing, group home, behavioral health and to organizations that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Linda Witzal, RPh, will continue leading the Freedom Pharmacy in her role as president. All current staff members will continue their employment with Freedom Pharmacy, and the company expects to hire additional employees as it grows its business.
“This partnership with Guardian Pharmacy Services is a natural fit, allowing us to retain our local focus while leveraging the technology, expertise and resources a national company like Guardian offers,” said Witzal. “Having followed Guardian’s journey closely, I’ve appreciated their deep understanding of the complexities of LTC and their commitment to the same values we prioritize in New Jersey—putting residents, patients and staff first. I’m confident this partnership will help us grow and continue providing the exceptional service our communities deserve.”
As part of the Guardian Pharmacy Services family, Freedom Pharmacy benefits from the company’s business model which ensures the local pharmacy team can focus on customer service to meet the specialized needs of the communities and residents they serve, while Guardian’s corporate support team assists with the complex behind-the-scenes business functions, including data analytics, HR, IT, payor relations, national sales and more. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
According to data captured in the LevinPro HC database, this acquisition represents the 28th specialty pharmacy transaction of 2024. There were 15 specialty pharmacy deals announced during 2023, and 27 announced during 2022.
